Spinning device.



Patented Apr. '8, l9

R LE "um V E MD 6 Am N am P Q,

(Application fllod Apr. 17, 1901 (No Model.)

' UNTTTEn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

CASPAR \V. METTLER AND ADOLF METTLER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT,

ASSIGNORS TO FREDERICK C. ROCKl/VELL, OF WEST HARTFORD, CON- NECTICUT.

SPINNING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,990, dated April 8, 1902.

Application filed April 17, 1901. Serial No. 56,316- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CASPAR 'W. METTLER and ADOLF METTLER, citizens of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinning Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device provided for setting in rotation tops, windmills, flying fans, or the like toys.

The object of this invention is to produce a very simple device of this nature which automatically rewinds itself, so as to always be ready for setting in rotation the toy with which it is being used.

The embodiment of the invention that is illustrated by the accompanying drawings has an open frame-like handle loosely supporting a spindle that in its outer end has a threaded socket for temporarily retaining the stem of the toy to be set in rotation, and that has its inner end connected with a part of the frame by a twisted elastic band, and that has Wound upon its middle portion acord by means of which the spindle may be rotated against the twist of the elastic and the initial rotation given to the toy.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a side view of the device arranged for spinning a top.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the device ar-' ranged for spinning a flying fan, and Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating the method of temporarily connecting the toy to be rotated with the spindle.

The frame-like handle 1 that is shown may be made of wood, metal, or any other suitable material.

The spindle 2 is rotarily supported by the cross-bars 3 and 4 of the handle. In the head 5, at the outer end of the spindle, is a threaded perforation 6 for receiving the threaded end of the stem of the top or other toy. The inner end of the spindle is by a doubled and twisted elastic band 7 connected with the cross-bar 8 of the handle. The cord 9 is A ring 10 is fastened to the outer end of the cord. The elastic connection between the spindle and the handle is twisted a little to give an initial tension, and when the cord is drawn out this connection is still further twisted, so that when the cord is released the connection will rewind the cord upon the spindle.

The end of the stem of a top, fan, or other toy that is to be given a rotation by this device is threaded and screwed into the threaded socket in the head at the outer end of the spindle. When the cord is pulled out, the threads in the socket and on the end of the toy-stem engage, so that the toy is rotated with the spindle; but when the cord is released and the spindle is given a reverse rotation by the untwisting of the elastic connection the inertia of the toy causes it to continue its initial rotation and unscrew its stem from the socket in the end of the spindle and if it is a top drop to the surface upon which itis to spin or if itis a flying device to take its flight into the air.

This device is simple to manufacture, easy to manipulate, and durable. Should the elastic become broken, a new one may be readily substituted.

By means of this device tops may be conveniently spun or flying devices may be started on their flight by children without exercisingskill.

lVe claim A spinning device consisting of a framelike handle, a spindle extending through and rotarily held by portions of the handle and having its outer end threaded, a spirallytwisted elastic connection between the inner end of the spindle and the end of the handle, and a cord attached to and wound about a portion of the spindle for rotating the spindle against the twist of the elastic connection, substantially as specified.

CASPAR W. METTLER. ADOLF METTLER.

\Vitnesses:

H. R. WILLIAMS, V. R. HOLOOMB. 

